Committee appointed to study animal control

The Ellis County Commissioners’ Court Monday appointed a group of citizens and elected officials to discuss and recommend changes pertaining to animal control. The move to form a committee was made at the body’s Jan. 14 session.
“The goal of the committee will be to discuss and find solutions to the issues that we are having pertaining to animal control in Ellis County,” said Commissioner Dennis Robinson, Pct. 1. “The committee will report back to the Commissioners’ Court with recommendations that will provide sufficient animal control that preserves and protects health and safety and that is cost effective for the citizens of Ellis County.”
Robinson, who will serve as chair of the committee, added that the Court asks County and SPCA staff members to be available upon request to provide information to the committee. The following members were named to the committee in addition to Robinson: Sheriff Ray Stewart, Johnna Wallace, Bob Mahlstedt, Joann Livingston, Kennette Davis, Roy Callender, Bill Kinsala, Harlan Lowrance, Paul Perry, Angela Delay, Robert Crosby and Heather Starks.
The committee will be asked to choose a vice-chair and a secretary from among its own members.
In response to the filing of a petition to create a Public Improvement District within Ellis County, the Court voted to authorize a public hearing on the subject on Feb. 25, with proper notice to be published. The Court also approved a financing agreement with the developer of the property – known as Prairie Ridge – and authorized appointment of four new members to the Prairie Ridge Fresh Water Supply District board of directors. Vinson and Elkins – the county’s current bond counsel – will advise the County on the project.
“Just a side note, any land owner in Ellis County can petition the Court to create a particular kind of district – four to six different kinds of districts can be created,” said County Judge Chad Adams. “What we really fear is what’s called a ‘MUD’ district. These are the districts that we don’t have any control over as a Commissioners’ Court. We’ve worked with this land group to where we are maximizing our authority inside of this district to help carve out the future of this development so it doesn’t become a MUD district.”
Prairie Ridge lies within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of Grand Prairie.
The Court later agreed to share the cost of hiring testifying experts in a matter pending before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the State Office of Administrative Hearings, with Road and Bridge Precinct 3 paying half and half coming from the general fund.
“There is one area in the County where a MUD district is trying to go in,” Adams said. “Commissioner Sims has taken the bull by the horns and is fighting this tooth and nail, and we are really behind him on it.”
In other business, Commissioners:
Proclaimed January 2008 as School Board Recognition Month in Ellis County, noting it is an annual tradition to do so.
Took no action on a contract with HDR Architecture, Inc.
Accepted the resignation of Eugene Williams from Italy Emergency Service District 3 and appointed James Steele to serve out his unexpired term, ending on Dec. 31, 2008.
Approved an Interlocal Agreement with the Texas Association of Counties Risk Management Pool, pending agreement on changes proposed by the District Attorney’s Office.
Heard a presentation from Ross Davis of the County Engineer’s Office regarding submission of a General Permit MS4 Phase II Storm Water Discharge Notice of Intent application to TCEQ.
Heard a presentation from Dan and Sherry Freeland, who live in Fox Run development in Midlothian, regarding drainage issues in and around the development.
Granted a variance from subdivision rules and regulations relating to the requirement for 150 feet of road frontage, accepted the construction of the infrastructure of Flying “W” in Precinct 3, and took no action on a final plat for Billingsley Farms under the Department of Development.
Awarded the bid for one Durapatcher for Road and Bridge Precinct 1 at a total cost of $42,981.10.
Approved payment by the Sheriff’s Department of compensation in the amount of $889.67 for an accident that occurred in Waxahachie on Jan. 8.
The County Commission meets every other Monday at the County Courthouse in Waxahachie.

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Committee appointed to study animal control

The Ellis County Commissioners’ Court Monday appointed a group of citizens and elected officials to discuss and recommend changes pertaining to animal control. The move to form a committee was made at the body’s Jan. 14 session.
“The goal of the committee will be to discuss and find solutions to the issues that we are having pertaining to animal control in Ellis County,” said Commissioner Dennis Robinson, Pct. 1. “The committee will report back to the Commissioners’ Court with recommendations that will provide sufficient animal control that preserves and protects health and safety and that is cost effective for the citizens of Ellis County.”
Robinson, who will serve as chair of the committee, added that the Court asks County and SPCA staff members to be available upon request to provide information to the committee. The following members were named to the committee in addition to Robinson: Sheriff Ray Stewart, Johnna Wallace, Bob Mahlstedt, Joann Livingston, Kennette Davis, Roy Callender, Bill Kinsala, Harlan Lowrance, Paul Perry, Angela Delay, Robert Crosby and Heather Starks.
The committee will be asked to choose a vice-chair and a secretary from among its own members.
In response to the filing of a petition to create a Public Improvement District within Ellis County, the Court voted to authorize a public hearing on the subject on Feb. 25, with proper notice to be published. The Court also approved a financing agreement with the developer of the property – known as Prairie Ridge – and authorized appointment of four new members to the Prairie Ridge Fresh Water Supply District board of directors. Vinson and Elkins – the county’s current bond counsel – will advise the County on the project.
“Just a side note, any land owner in Ellis County can petition the Court to create a particular kind of district – four to six different kinds of districts can be created,” said County Judge Chad Adams. “What we really fear is what’s called a ‘MUD’ district. These are the districts that we don’t have any control over as a Commissioners’ Court. We’ve worked with this land group to where we are maximizing our authority inside of this district to help carve out the future of this development so it doesn’t become a MUD district.”
Prairie Ridge lies within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of Grand Prairie.
The Court later agreed to share the cost of hiring testifying experts in a matter pending before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the State Office of Administrative Hearings, with Road and Bridge Precinct 3 paying half and half coming from the general fund.
“There is one area in the County where a MUD district is trying to go in,” Adams said. “Commissioner Sims has taken the bull by the horns and is fighting this tooth and nail, and we are really behind him on it.”
In other business, Commissioners:
Proclaimed January 2008 as School Board Recognition Month in Ellis County, noting it is an annual tradition to do so.
Took no action on a contract with HDR Architecture, Inc.
Accepted the resignation of Eugene Williams from Italy Emergency Service District 3 and appointed James Steele to serve out his unexpired term, ending on Dec. 31, 2008.
Approved an Interlocal Agreement with the Texas Association of Counties Risk Management Pool, pending agreement on changes proposed by the District Attorney’s Office.
Heard a presentation from Ross Davis of the County Engineer’s Office regarding submission of a General Permit MS4 Phase II Storm Water Discharge Notice of Intent application to TCEQ.
Heard a presentation from Dan and Sherry Freeland, who live in Fox Run development in Midlothian, regarding drainage issues in and around the development.
Granted a variance from subdivision rules and regulations relating to the requirement for 150 feet of road frontage, accepted the construction of the infrastructure of Flying “W” in Precinct 3, and took no action on a final plat for Billingsley Farms under the Department of Development.
Awarded the bid for one Durapatcher for Road and Bridge Precinct 1 at a total cost of $42,981.10.
Approved payment by the Sheriff’s Department of compensation in the amount of $889.67 for an accident that occurred in Waxahachie on Jan. 8.
The County Commission meets every other Monday at the County Courthouse in Waxahachie.

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Posted by publisher
on Jan 30 2008. Filed under News.
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Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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